Thailand elects Paetongtarn Shinawatra as country’s youngest ever Prime Minister

Thailand’s parliament elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra as its youngest prime minister on Friday, thrusting the 37-year-old political novice into the spotlight amidst ongoing power struggles in the country. Paetongtarn, the daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, secured her position in a decisive house vote just a day after her ally Srettha Thavisin was dismissed from the role by the judiciary, highlighting the deep-rooted instability that has marked Thailand’s political landscape for over two decades.

Paetongtarn’s election marks a significant moment for the Shinawatra family, which has been a dominant force in Thai politics but faced setbacks in recent years. She will be Thailand’s second female prime minister and the third member of her family to hold the office, following her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra and her father, Thaksin. Her appointment comes after a tumultuous period for her party, Pheu Thai, which had to forge an alliance with the military to form a government after suffering its first election defeat in over 20 years.

In her initial comments as prime minister-elect, Paetongtarn expressed her resolve to tackle the nation’s issues head-on. “I talked to Srettha, my family, and people in my party and decided it was about time to do something for the country and the party,” she told reporters. She expressed her commitment to moving the country forward and shared her optimism with a social media post featuring a simple lunch of chicken rice, captioned: “The first meal after listening to the vote.”

Paetongtarn’s victory in the parliament was significant, as she received 319 votes—almost two-thirds of the house. Despite this strong showing, her tenure is expected to be challenging. The new prime minister faces a struggling economy, increasing competition from rival political parties, and a Pheu Thai party that has yet to fulfill its ambitious cash handout program worth 500 billion baht ($14.25 billion).

The Thai stock market reflected some optimism with the benchmark index rising about 1.1% by 0900 GMT on Friday, a modest rebound after a nearly 9% drop earlier in the year.

Paetongtarn’s ascent to power represents a high-stakes gamble for her party and her family, as she embarks on her political journey amid significant national and economic challenges. Her ability to navigate these complexities will be closely watched as Thailand continues to grapple with its political and economic uncertainties.